Top tips: On turning challenges to your advantage

Chris Johnson. Photo / Supplied

Jo Harrison and Chris Johnson of Kerridge & Partners recruitment give
tips on turning challenges to your advantage

How can I keep myself and my team positive and motivated?

Be positive and spend time with like-minded people. Energy from achieving in your personal life often flows into your professional life so look for ways to do so - start a course, focus on your fitness goals, learn a new language. Effort always results in success if it is maintained.

How can I keep my team engaged?

Communication is the key. The more you communicate with your team the better, even if it is just about being visible and not necessarily having anything to update them on.

What can I do to develop my professional networks?

Remember the most useful people in your network are often those you meet two or three times a year, not those you meet every week. Aim to achieve at least one outcome from every networking meeting you have, whether it's sharing knowledge or arranging to meet again to follow up on an idea.

Our organisation has put on hold some of the interesting projects I was involved in - how can I continue developing and stay interested in my job?

Consider upskilling via a new qualification - perhaps through online learning. Read business-related material. Create a research project to expand your thinking on something you always wanted to learn about.

I am taking up the four-day week option and want to use the extra day to try something different but don't know what that could be.

One option is to contribute to the community. Consider a joint initiative between your organisation and a charity.